Are Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling evil?

Tuesday

Jul 31, 2007 at 12:01 AMJul 31, 2007 at 2:04 AM

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- While thousands of people all over the country are lining up to see the latest adventures of Harry Potter, a group of Christians here is praying for the soul of the boy wizard's creator.

Edith C. Webster

Ed. note: With breakout at end.

While thousands of people all over the country are reading or watching the latest adventures of Harry Potter, a group of Christians here is praying for the soul of the boy wizard's creator.

Self-taught religious artist Joe Nicosia and Rockford Roman Catholics in a 9-year-old home prayer group believe J.K. Rowling is harming herself and others, including child readers, with books they consider evil.

"I'm concerned with children even just reading the books. It gets those thoughts in their head, and they conflict with Christianity," Nicosia said. "People knocked down 'The Passion of the Christ' movie, but they all praise this ...? People are being deceived."

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" took in a record-breaking $44.8 million on its opening day, and sales for the book series top 325 million worldwide, but not everybody loves Harry.

From the moment the first novel was released in 1997, some people of faith have objected to the theme of magic, which they say promotes witchcraft.

"It has satanic influences," said the Rev. Norris Flannigan, pastor of Ephesians Missionary Baptist Church in Rockford. "I see how people flock to it, and it might seem harmless, but that's one of the things causing havoc in our community."

Rowling, whom Forbes magazine named in 2004 as one of only five self-made female billionaires in the world, denies her books promote witchcraft. She says she is a Christian and does not believe in magic.

But there are enough critics to have made the books among the most frequent targets to be banned, according to the American Library Association.

Bishop Thomas Doran of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford has read the books and does not advocate a blanket ban, Penny Wiegert, director of communications for the diocese, said by e-mail.

"He did not see any detriment to people, young or old, as long as they understand the subject matter within the volumes is strictly for entertainment value," she said. "As always, if people are properly formed in their faith and morals, they are better equipped to make informed decisions on all their media consumption -- whether it be about Harry Potter, 'Star Trek' or 'I Dream of Jeannie' reruns."

Harry Potter was the subject of a Lenten Bible study last year at Winnebago's Middle Creek Presbyterian Church.

"The class looked at some of the themes, explained how to understand the book from a standpoint of what the Bible says, and how to emphasize to children that this is make-believe," said Middle Creek Pastor Anita Stuart-Steva. "We were hearing from so many religious authorities from so many corners of Christianity that it was evil. I wanted to give my congregation a different perspective."

The pastor, a fan of fantasy books, has read the series and concludes that the books offer this teaching point: "Good keeps triumphing over evil, but it's a constant process."

Nancy Carpentier Brown of Antioch was no fan of Harry Potter in the beginning. A Roman Catholic mother who wrote articles for home-schooling magazines, she banned the books in her home. Then a good friend and literature expert persuaded her to give one a read.

"On the surface, it sounds like something you would never want your children exposed to, but the books, just like the old fairy tales, have a moral and themes like love triumphing over death," she said. "If those aren't Christian themes, I don't know what is."

Brown released the book "The Mystery of Harry Potter: A Catholic Family Guide" in June to help parents decide about the controversial books.

"There are elements that you absolutely need to talk to your children about, and if parents don't have time to read the books themselves, it's OK to ban them," she said.

Staff writer Edith C. Webster may be reached at 815-987-1394 or ewebster@rrstar.com.

WHAT DOES ROWLING SAY?

J.K. Rowling responded to religious criticism of her Harry Potter books this way in a 1999 interview with Book Links:

"If this subject offends people, that isn't what I want to do, but I don't believe in censorship for any age group, and this is what I wanted to write about. The book is really about the power of the imagination. What Harry is learning to do is to develop his full potential. Wizardry is just the analogy I use. If anyone expects it to be a book that seriously advocates learning magic, they will be disappointed. Not least because the author does not believe in magic in that way."

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.